Stress in the Pit: Doctors Recommend a Month of Rest for Muti

Riccardo Muti, the new music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, has flown home to Italy for further consultation with doctors following the cancellation of two weeks of concerts. Exhaustion and stress were behind the stomach pains that caused Muti to cancel the concerts at the CSO, the orchestra said on Tuesday. Mr. Muti, who is in his first season with the orchestra, left for Italy on Oct. 4 to consult with his doctors in Milan and undergo tests.

“It was determined that Maestro Muti is suffering from extreme exhaustion as a result of prolonged physical stress,” the orchestra said in a statement. “In this case, as often happens, the exhaustion manifested itself in abdominal pain and other physical symptoms.” Doctors prescribed a month of rest. Mr. Muti is scheduled to return to Chicago to conduct the orchestra in February.